Climate change in Suriname

Climate change in Suriname is leading to warmer temperatures and more extreme weather events in Suriname. As a relatively poor country, its contributions to global climate change have been limited. Because of the large forest cover, the country has been running a carbon negative economy since 2014.^[4]

Köppen climate classification map for Suriname for 1980–2016

2071–2100 map under the most intense climate change scenario. Mid-range scenarios are currently considered more likely^[1][2][3]

Suriname was the second country to update its Nationally Determined Contributions in 2020.^[5]

Greenhouse gas emissions

Suriname has claimed a net-negative carbon economy since at least 2014.^[4] This is in large part because dense forests cover over 93% of the country.^[6] Most of the rainforest is still in pristine condition,^[7] however it is being threatened by gold mining^[8] and logging companies.^[9]

Agriculture contributes 40% of the country's emissions.^[5]

Petroleum industry

Further information: Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname

Petroleum exports are an important part of the economy of Suriname,^[10] much of which is controlled by the state owned Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname. As of January 2020, an American corporation, Apache Corporation, was drilling wells in Maka Central.^[11]

Impacts on the natural environment

Temperature and weather changes

According to the World Bank, temperatures have already increased across the country, with a significant increase in hot weather.^[12] Though precipitation has not shown any significant trend changes,^[12] projections suggest significant changes in different parts of the country.^[13]

Sea level rise

90% of Suriname's human activity is on the Northern coast, which is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and salt water intrusion.^[14]

Impacts on people

Economic impacts

Agriculture

Further information: Agriculture in Suriname

Though agriculture is a decreasing part of the total economy of the country, accounting for 9% of GDP in 2012, it is the third largest part of the Surinamese economy employing 15% of the population in 2009.^[15] Changing weather and flood events are expect to have significant negative effects on agriculture in the country.^[15] 49% of the economic losses of May 2006 floods in Suriname were agricultural.^[15]

Health impacts

The greatest risk Suriname faces is the flooding of the rivers. The population is concentrated around major rivers like the Suriname, Commewijne, and Marowijne River in an area a few meters above sea level.^[16] In 2006 and 2015, there were majors floods even resulting in deaths.^[17][18]

Mitigation and adaptation

Policies and legislation

The Surinamese government was proactive about updating its Nationally Determined Contributions statement in 2020, second only behind the Climate change in the Marshall Islands.^[4] The major commitments included maintenance of forests as a carbon sink, 35% renewable energy by 2030, and sustainable farming and transportation investments.^[4]